LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Tantalizing… Raw… Exciting… Campy… Burlesque!
A world where anything can happen, but what happens when the inevitable comes?
"This is a group of people that traveled a good part of their lives," said BurleyCares CEO Stephanie Castellone. "They lead very busy and fast lives. Many of them didn’t stop to think about what they were going to do when they get older. They didn’t work nine a.m. to five p.m. like a lot of people do. So they don’t have a 401k or retirement package."
Because of this, BurlyCares steps in.
In 2018, Stephanie Castellone, also known as Miz Charlamay, a multi-faceted performer and former hospice registered nurse, decided to combine both her passions. With the help of other neo-burlesque artists, she founded the BurlyCares. The non-profit aims to help retired burlesque and variety performance artists who are no longer able to make a living performing full-time.
"They’re very much into their persona. They lived it. It’s who they became. None of us, including them, want that to die. So we keep it going. We have them in shows. We have a lot of fun," Castellone said.
BurlyCares provides case management, donates medical supplies, raises money and combats isolation or loneliness.
"We’re also in the homes too. We go see them. We visit them. Sometimes we take them to their doctors visits. Whatever they need, if it’s in the scope of what we do, we do it," Castellone said.
